Car Shipping & Freight to Lebanon
Used American cars are the backbone of Lebanon's roads, and Beirut is their gateway. Weekly East Coast departures, duty assessed by value and engine size plus 11% VAT, and landed costs confirmed in writing before you book.
Lebanon at a Glance
Space available- Shipping from
- $1,800+
- Ocean transit
- 20–28 days (East Coast)
- Arrival ports
- Beirut
- Import duty + VAT
- By value & engine + 11% VAT
- Market share
- U.S. used cars dominate
No obligation · Response within 1 business hour
Shipping to Lebanon: What You Need to Know
Lebanon is one of the oldest markets for American cars in the Mediterranean — used U.S. vehicles make up the bulk of what drives on Lebanese roads, and the Port of Beirut remains the country's vehicle gateway, with container service restored and running on weekly schedules from the U.S. East Coast. Customs are assessed on declared value and engine size, topped by 11% VAT, with the schedule favoring smaller engines and sensibly priced stock.
The trade has adapted to Lebanon's economic realities: buyers favor clean, modest U.S. sedans and crossovers that hold value, transactions are documented carefully, and our team confirms the total landed cost in writing before any booking is accepted. Classic American cars remain importable and enjoy a devoted local following — Beirut's collector scene is among the most enthusiastic in the region, and 1960s–80s Detroit metal commands real premiums.
Key takeaway
Expect duty assessed on value and engine size plus 11% VAT — smaller engines pay meaningfully less. Get a written landed-cost confirmation per VIN before buying; we provide one within a business day, and it holds through booking.
Shipping Routes & Transit Times to Lebanon
| U.S. Departure Port | Arrival Port | Ocean Transit | Sailing Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York / New Jersey | Beirut | 20–28 days | Weekly |
| Savannah, GA | Beirut | 22–30 days | Weekly |
| Houston, TX | Beirut | 27–35 days | Bi-weekly |
Transit times are port-to-port estimates and exclude export clearance and customs processing.
What It Costs to Ship to Lebanon
Indicative per-unit rates from U.S. ports. Your exact rate depends on vehicle dimensions, departure region, and current vessel space.
| Service | Typical Rate | What to Know | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shared container (consolidated) | $1,800 – $2,600 | Budget-friendly, waits for consolidation | Standard sedans & SUVs |
| Dedicated 20ft container | $3,000 – $4,200 | Fastest loading, single vehicle | High-value or classic cars |
| Dedicated 40ft container | $4,000 – $5,600 | Fits 2 vehicles or vehicle + cargo | Pairs, dealer lots |
| RoRo (roll-on / roll-off) | Custom quote | Drive-on service, no container | Running vehicles, trucks, machinery |
| Flat rack / breakbulk | Custom quote | For oversized & non-running units | Heavy equipment, boats |
Rates shown are indicative ranges from the U.S. East Coast and are confirmed at booking.
Try the cost calculator →Rates move with fuel surcharges and season. Get today's exact rate for your vehicle in under 1 hour.
Price My ShipmentLebanon Import Duties & Taxes
| Category | Import Duty | VAT / Tax | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Passenger cars | By value & engine | 11% | Smaller engines pay less |
| Classic American cars | By assessed value | 11% | Importable, devoted local market |
| Motorcycles | By engine size | 11% | Low totals on small bikes |
| Heavy machinery | Varies | 11% | Category dependent |
Indicative rates for general guidance — final assessment is made by customs at arrival. Our team confirms the exact landed cost before you book.
Documents You'll Need
- Original vehicle title (Certificate of Title) — lien-free
- Bill of sale or commercial invoice
- Copy of passport or government ID
- U.S. AES export filing (we handle this)
- Import declaration at destination (we coordinate)
- Packing list for personal items, if any
Want certainty before you wire a cent?
On the Lebanon lane we put everything in writing first: freight, port fees, customs by value and engine size, and 11% VAT — a single landed-cost figure per VIN, delivered within one business day and honored at booking. No surprises at Beirut.
What We Ship to Lebanon
Every cargo type has its own routing, loading method, and import path. Pick yours to see the exact process.
Cars, SUVs & Classics
Container or RoRo service into Lebanon's main vehicle gateways, with full customs handling.
- Sedans, SUVs & pickups
- Classic & collector cars
- Motorcycles & ATVs
Heavy Equipment
Flat rack, breakbulk, and container loading for construction, agricultural, and industrial machinery bound for Lebanon.
- Excavators & dozers
- Agricultural machinery
- Oversized project cargo
Boats & Yachts
Cradled container loading or lift-on/lift-off service for boats and personal watercraft headed to Lebanon.
- Powerboats & sailboats
- Yachts & cruisers
- Jet skis & PWC
Container vs. RoRo to Lebanon
| Feature | Container | RoRo |
|---|---|---|
| Personal items allowed inside | ||
| Non-running vehicles accepted | ||
| Lowest cost for running cars | ||
| Weather-protected transit | ||
| Multiple vehicles per booking |
Step-by-Step: How Your Shipment to Lebanon Moves
Quote & booking
Day 0Lock in your rate and vessel space. We confirm pickup windows and the best departure port for your route.
U.S. pickup & delivery to port
Days 1–7Door pickup from any auction, dealer, or residence. Condition photos taken at every handoff.
Export clearance & loading
Days 5–12AES filing, title validation with CBP (72-hour rule), professional loading, blocking, and bracing.
Ocean transit
20–28 days (East Coast)Regular sailings with full tracking from departure to arrival at Beirut.
Customs & handover
2–7 daysImport declaration, duty and tax payment, and release. Optional onward trucking to your final destination.
Buying from a U.S. auction? Read our step-by-step playbook before you bid.
Read the auction shipping guideFrequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about shipping to Lebanon. Can't find the answer you're looking for? Contact our team.
Typical transit time for car shipping to Lebanon ranges from 3–8 weeks door-to-door. This includes inland transport to the U.S. port (3–7 days), vessel departure scheduling and loading (3–10 days), ocean transit (2–6 weeks depending on sailing route and port congestion), customs clearance at destination (2–7 days), and final inland delivery in Lebanon (2–5 days). Exact timing depends on the port pair, sailing frequency, and whether you choose container, consolidated, or RoRo-style service where available. We provide route-specific timing when you request a quote so you know what to expect before shipping.
To export a vehicle to Lebanon, you typically need the original title or proof of ownership, a bill of sale, a copy of your passport or government ID, a completed export declaration, and a detailed commercial invoice or packing list. Depending on regulations in Lebanon, you may also need import approval, emissions or age-compliance documentation, and tax ID information for the receiver. Our documentation team reviews your situation in advance and confirms the exact paperwork required so your shipment clears both U.S. export control and customs in Lebanon without unnecessary delays.
In many cases, you can place a reasonable amount of boxed personal items inside a containerized vehicle bound for Lebanon, as long as everything is properly declared on the paperwork and allowed by local customs. However, loose household goods, undeclared high-value items, hazardous materials, and restricted products can create customs issues or fines. For RoRo or certain port rules, vehicles must be nearly empty. We advise you exactly what can and cannot travel in the vehicle for your route to Lebanon and can recommend separate consolidation services if you have a larger household shipment.
Import duties, taxes, and port charges in Lebanon depend on the type of vehicle or equipment, its age, engine size, customs value, and the receiver's status (individual, returning resident, or company). Some countries offer reduced duties for returning citizens or temporary imports; others apply luxury or environmental surcharges. We help you estimate landed costs by reviewing current rules for Lebanon, preparing accurate customs documentation, and coordinating with our local clearing agents so you understand all government and port fees before your cargo ships.
Yes. For shipments to Lebanon, we can usually provide complete door-to-door service that includes pickup anywhere in the U.S., export preparation and loading, ocean freight to the closest practical port, customs clearance, and inland delivery to your city or project site. In some regions of Lebanon we may recommend door-to-port service with trusted local partners handling the final leg. During quoting we confirm exactly which delivery options are available for your specific address so you can choose the level of service that fits your budget and timeline.
Marine cargo insurance is strongly recommended for shipments to Lebanon because standard carrier liability does not cover the full value of your vehicle or machinery. We arrange all-risk coverage that protects against total loss, damage, theft, and general average from the time the unit is picked up until it is delivered at destination. Insurance is normally calculated as a small percentage of the declared value and can be included directly in your shipping quote for Lebanon, so you have one clear, all-inclusive cost.
Ready to Ship to Lebanon?
Get a customized quote for your shipment to Lebanon with detailed pricing and transit options.